Valve for tanks



June 7, 1927..

1 31,372 J. HARRIS VALYVE FOR TANKS Filed June 19., 1924 Patented June 7, 1927.

UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HARRIS, or cnnvanm. o'nro, asszenoa To run: Emma canoamc com- 241w, or cnnvnnnm, OHIO, a coaroaa'r on or OHIO.

VALVE son Tamra.

Application filed June s, 1924. Serial No. mass.

This invention relatesto valves for tanks containing gases under ressure, and particularly to valves of' t e ty 6 whereln adiaphragm operates to 'contro or tojassist in controlling, the flow of gas from a tank to the point of use. It is the general purpose and object of the invention to provide vide a valve of this character which can be firmly seated without injury to the diaphragm, and one which is not liable to inury y reason of the unauthorized or unintelhgent operation of the same.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of this character with a particularly eflicient safety blow-ofi? of the type which is capable of operating, not only through the fusion of the backingl for the disk when exposed to abnormally igh temperatures while operating under ordinary tank pressures, but also through the development of unduejpressure within the tank, even should the backing not be subjected to a temperature 'sufiicient to produce such fusion.

A further object of the invention is to provide'a valve of this character which is not only more eiiicient in operation and in fication and em odied in the claims, the in-' vention being illustrated in the drawings forming part hereof, wherein Fig. 1 represents a central vertical sectional view through the valve, certain parts being shown in elevation; Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views through the cooperating parts of the locking plug, diaphragm and valve, prior to the assembling of the same; and" Fig. 5 a sectional detail showing the valve seat in elevation within the cooperating parts of the valve body.

Describing the various parts by reference cii:;.-aracters, 1 represents generally the body service than valves heretofore used for its of the valve, the same bein of any suitable metal and having a slight g tapered lower end 2 provided with a threa 3 by which thevalve body may be secured in the top of the tank with which it cooperates, the tank being of any standard construction such as is used for containing and shipping gases. under pressurefo'r instance, oxygen and cutting and welding gases. The valve body's provided with a central bore ,4. The 'upper end of the bore is slightly enlarged and threaded, as indicated at 5, for. the reception of the threaded stem 6 of the valve seat plug 6. The u per end of the valve seat plug-6 is-locate a chamber 7 and 1s rovided with a hexagonal body 6 which is adapted to receive a socket wrench and the lower face of which seats upon the bottom wall 7 of the chamber 7. The plug is provided with a central bore 8 communicating at its lower end with the bore 4:,5- and constituting with suchbore a assa e for the supply of gas to the chamber T e upper end of the bore 8 merges .with an inverted frusto-conical cup 8,

formed in the top of'the valve seat plug. The upper outer part of the plug is tapered or frusto-conical in shape, as indicated at 9, the tapered seating surfaces 8 and 9 meeting in a common circular line or edge 10. It will be evident that the upper end of the valve seat plug 6 is triangular-in vertical'section.

An upwardly inclined passage 11 leads from one side of the chamber 7 and dis- 00 charges into a chamber 11 in the threaded portlon of a connection 12, the said connectlon being adapted to receive a suitable regulator for delivering the gas passing through the valve to the oint of usefor instance, 5 the valve block 0 a blow-pipe.

It will be noted that the chamber 7 is sufiiciently larger'in cross-sectional area than the valve-seat plug to receive the lower end of' a socket wrench, thereby enabling the plug to be conveniently applied to and removed from the assembly.

The .up er end of the chamber 7 communicates with an extension chamber 13 the lower end of which is surrounded by a horizontal annular ledge or shoulder 14. 15 denotes the diaphragm, the said dia hragm having a peripheral portion 15 w ich is adapted to rest upon the ledge or-shoulder 14. Projecting upwardly from the periphwithin eral portion is a flange 115" the upper edge of-which'is bent inwardly, asishown at 15- (Fig. 1), to-fit within a seat 16* formed "withln the outer surface of'the lower cy Iindrical end 16 of-a diaphragm-locking plug-16, the said plug having'an external thread 16 whereby it is fitted within the 7 upper end 1" of the body 1, such end being vents an rovided with. an internal thread '1? fort 0 reception of said locking plug. '17" denot'es the valve block, the saidblockbeing generally cylindrical in shape and guided by the upper portion of the chamber 7, there being sufiiclent clearance between the valve block and the chamber to permit gas to actuate the diaphragm. --'This valve block is together, .wit the result that the part 17- and the central portion of the diaphragm fuse and merge into an integral connection,

, as is clearly a parent-from Fig. 1. The upper surface .0 the valve .block- 17iwhich surrounds the" central p'ortion..,17 is convex, as

indicated'at 17 In practice, the projection 17' is about one-quarter inch in diameter andzthe convex surface 17 ,surrounding the zone-of fusion between the diaphragm and the valve block, enables the diaphragm to flex against the backing disk 18, which; is interposed between the top of the diaphragm and a seat-16 provided within the cylindri cal end 16 (of the-locking plug. Thecham-- 'ber formed within the part '16 and within the shoulder 14 constitutes-a diaphragm chamber, as indicated at 13.

tam ered with.- To secure this result, the

When not in use, and particularly during shipment of the tanks with which they are used, the valve blocks .17 should-be seated in. such manner as to prevent their being locking plug '16 is provided with a central bore 19,'the bore extending upwardly from the horizontal .seat 16 and being internally threaded for the reception of-an externally threaded valve-locking plug 20. vThis plu is applied to the bore'19 from the lower en thereof, the boreterminating short of the upperend of the plug 16, there being a reduced bore, 21 through the upper end of the'latter plug for the reception of the lower end of a small angular socket wrench 22 which is adapted to enter a corresponding socket fld in the top of the p1ug2 0, By the use of this wrench, the plug 20 may be" screwed down, thereby to force the backing disk 18 and the. valve block .17 downwardly 'untilthe valve is seated upon the upper end ofthe seat fi;'-'also, by operating the wrench in the reverse direction, the plug 20 will beunscrewed to. permit the disk, 18tc seat against shoulder 16%; v

By-the construction this far described, I have possibility of leakage 'betweenth'e valve-17 and the seat -6 is rendered practically impossible, by. virtue of the double-seat provided by the parts 8 and 9 and 17,=17.' By

.75 provided a tank-valve inl-whjich-the" connecting the valve block 17 with 'thedia- 4 phragm 15in the manner described,jthediaphragm is not perforated at its central por-' tion, but is actually reinforced at such'point by its connection withthe plug 17.- This positively prevents any leakage through the central portion of the diaphragm. Furthera more, the manner of connecting-the diaphragm and valve block 17 enables the diaphragm to flex freely beyond the'zone of connection betweenthe same and the block. f

By connecting the diaphragm with theplu' 16, the valve block 17, the diaphragm, an

the backing disk 18 may be removed bodily from the valve body 1, by merely unscrewing the said plug. i

One of thetank valves which is in ex tensive use employs the diaphragm itself for the valve, forcing the same into engagement with the valve seat. This is objectionable in that the diaphragm, after a shorttime, fails to 'make a gastight closure with the seat, with the resultthat leakageaoccurs, such leakage constituting, in the types of tankvalves in general use, a very considerable proportion of the contents of the tank.

The valve body 1 is provided with a blow-ofi' connection 23 having the 'outlet ort 24 communicating with the bore 5.

he -port 24"communicates with a small chamber 25. in the vouter endofpthe conned tion 23, which chamber constitutesth'ede v livery end .of the'port andis surrounded by.

an annular seat 23. The safety disk which is employed with this'connection is provided with a central outwardly projectin conical portion 26,-such conical portion eing of slightly smaller diameter than the chamber 25 and being surrounded by the annular sea-tingportion 26* which isadapted to rest upon the seat 23* and to be clamped against said seat by means of a gasket 27'resting" withinan annular seat 28 carried bythe screw ca 28, the said cap being provided with a camber 28 into which the conical portion 26 'of the diskmay projeca'with a narrow annular section. of the disk surrounding such conicalportionin said chainber. The chamber is provided with blowof ports 29 extending outwardly therefrom.

high pressure of the-gases in the tanks are stretched and become distorted and finally rupture under 'such' tank-pressures. In order to prevent such stretching, distortion and premature rupture, the 'bncave side, of

peripheralportion and extending across the the central portion of the disk is backed with metal, filling such concavity, as indicated at 26"; The metal employed may-be solder,-. or brass or other metal swaged into the concavity. Whenso constructed, there can be no stretching or distortion of, the central portion of the disk, but the disk will be fractured under the predeterminedmaximum pressure for which it isdesi'gned,"

in the narrow-ring immediately surrounding the centrally projecting portion. The manner of constructing the disk providesin efa fect anintegral reinforced central port1on.-

This vapplication isyin some respects, a

continuation of my application No. 681,499-

filed December 19, 1923 and of my appli cation N0.'64=7,245 filed-lune 23; 1923.

- Havin thus described my invention, what I c aim is: v 1

1. ,In a valvejofthe character described, the combination of a bod having a passage for the supply of fluid, there being a valve seat at the delivery end of said passage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond the-said seat and a delivery port communicating with the said chamber, a diaphragm extending across the diaphragm'chamber, a

valve secured to the central portion of the said diaphragm and adapted to engage the said valve seat, a backing on the opposite surface of the diaphragm from the said valve, a plug for securing the dia hra m to itsjseat', and a socketed plug t rea ed plug, the said socketed plug having a portion ada ted to be projected through the bottom of t e first.

mentioned plug to engage said backing and the first mentioned plug being provided with a portion at its upper or outer end adapted to overhang the said plug to prevent its withdrawal in one" direction. from the first mentioned plug. v

'2. In a valve of the character described, the combination of a bod having a passage'for the suppl of fluid, there being a valve seat-at the elivery end of said passage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond'the said seat and& delivery'port communicat ing with the said chamber, a diaphragm secured at its peripheral portion and extending across the diaphragm chamber, a valve having its central portion integrally con-.

nected with the central portion of the diaphragm and adapted to engage. the said valve seat, a backing on the opposite surface'of the diaphragm from the said valve, and a' stop adapted to be engaged by the said backing.

3. In a valveof the character described,

the combination of a body having a passage for the supply of fluid, there being a valve tra diaphragm chamber, .a' valve having its C8l'l'? port on connected by fusion with the.- central portion of the diaphragm and adapted' to engage the said valve seat, -a backing on-- the opposite surface of v the diaphragm from the said valve, and a stop adapted to be engaged by the said backing.

4.. In a valve of the character described, the combination of a bodyhaving a passage forthe supply of fluid, there being a valve seat at the delivery end of said passage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat and wdelivery port communicating with the said chamber, a diaphragm secured at its peripheral portion and extending across the dia hragm chamber, a valve having its centrasaid va ve seat, a backing on the opposite surface of'the diaphragm from the said said backing to limit the movement of the diaphragm. 5. In a valve of the character described,

ortion welded to the central portion of the la hragm and adapted to engagethe valve, and a stop adapted to be engaged by the combination of a body having a passage for the supply of fluid, there being a valve I I seatiat the delivery-end of said passage, with a d aphragm chamber beyond the said'seat and a dehver-y port communicating .with the said chamber, a diaphragm secured at its fieripheral portion and extending across the iaphragm chamber, a valve having its cen tral portion united by fusion with the central portion of diaphragm and adapted to engage the said'valve seat, the portion of thevalve' surrounding such 'zone' of'fusion receding from the diaphragm, and aback- Y ing on the op osite surface of the diaphragm from t e'said valve.

6. In a valve pf the character described, the combination of a body'having a passage for the supply of fluid and provided with a valve seat at the delivery end of said pas:-

sage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat, 'a valve connected to the diaphragm and cooperating with said seat, and

a delivery port communicating with the said chamber, of a blow-off connection havinga' port communicating with said passage and provided with an annularseat surrounding the delivery end of said port, a disk having a peripheral portion adapted to be clamped upon said seat and having an intermediate a valve seat at the delivery end of said pas- V sage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond.

reinforced portion, and a cap having one or more blow-ofi" outlets forsecuring the peripheral portion of the disk to the said seat.

7. In a=valve of the character described, the combination of a body having a passage for the supply of fluid and provided with the said seat, a valve connected to the diaphragm and cooperating with said seat, and

a delivery port communicating with the said -chan 1ber,.of a blow-ofl connection having a port communicating. with said passa e andprovided with a seat surrounding t e de-- Lvery end of'saidort, a disk having a peripheral portion ad on said seat and having an intermediate outwardly projecting portion with a metal backin fillingthecavityon the opposite side 0 such projecting portion, and means for securing the peripheral portion of -thc disk to the said seat.

8. In a valve of the character described,

the combination of a body having a passage for the supply of fluid and provided-with a valve seat at the delivery end of said passage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat, a valve connected to the diaphragm and cooperating with said seat, and

a delivery port communicating with the said chamber, of a blow-ofl connection having. a port communicating with said passa e and provided with a chamber at the de ivery end of said port and with a seat passage, witlra diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat, a valve connected to the diaphra and cooperating with said seat, and

- aide iverv port communicating with the said chamber, of a blow-ofi' connection having a port communicating with saidpassa e and with a seat at'the delivery end of said port,,a' disk having a peripheral portion adapted to be secured to sald' seat and a central portion having'metal applied there- 'to, such centralflportion'being of less diameter than the delivery end of said port, and means for securing said diskvupon its seat, the securing'means having an internal diameter greater than 'suchcentral portion of said disk,

10. In a' valve of the character described,

apt-ed to be clamped up-J rojection and provided with the combination of a' body having a passage for the supply of fluid and provided with a valve seat at the delivery end of said passage, with a diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat, a valve connected to the diaphragm and cooperating with said seat, and a delivery port communicating with the said chamber, of a blow-ofl' connection having a port communicating with said passage and with a seat surrounding the delivery end of said port, a disk having a peripheral portion adapted to be secured to said seat and a central outwardly projectin conical portion with metal substantially fi ling the cavity onthe opposite side from-such portion, such reinforced central portion being of less diameter than the said seat, and a capon the outer end of such connection and having'an annular seating portion oppo sed to the seat which surrounds the said chamber, the said cap havin a chamber of greater diameter than the iameter of the reinforced central pro'ecting portion of the disk. and being provi ed with one or more blow-off ports extending from said chamber.

11. In a valve of the character described the combination of a body having a passage extending upwardiyfrom-the bottom thereof for the sup ly of fluid and a valve seat having a port orming a continuation of the said passage, there being-a chamber beyond the valve seat, with a delivery port communicatin with said chamber, a diaphragm chamber having an annular seat, a diaphragm having a portion adapted to engage said seat, a plug removably mounted in said body and having a the diaphragm to its seat, and a valve secured to said diaphragm, the said diaphragm being secured to said plug whereby the diaphragm and valve may be removed with the plug.

rtion adapted to clamp 12. In a valve of the character described,

the combination of a body having a passage extending upwardly from the bottom thereof for the supply of fluid and a valve seat havin a port forming a continuation of the sai beyond the valve, with a delivery port communicatin with said chamber, a diaphragm c amber having an annular seat, a diaphragm having a portion adapted to engage said seat, a plug 'removably mounted in saldbody and having a portion adapted to clamp the diaphragm to its seat and provided with a seating groove in the external surface of such clamping portion into which the edge of the diaphragm is fitted, and a valve secured to said diaphragm.

13. In a valve of the character described,

the combination of a body having a pas-.

sage extending upwardly from the bottom thereof for the supply of fluid and a valve seat havin ,a port forming a continuation of the sai passage, there beinga chamber passage, there-being a chamber beyond the valve, with a delivery port c'ommunicatin with said chamber, a diaphragm chamber aving an annular seat, a diaphragm having a portion adapted toengage said seat, a plug removably mounted in sa1d body and having a portion adapted to clamp the diaphragm to its seat and provided with a seating groove in the external surface. of such clamping portion into which the edge of the diaphragm is fitted, said plug having a seat within such clamping portion, a backingdisk for the diaphragm and interposed between the latter and such seat, and a valve secured to said diaphragm.

14. In a valve of the character described, the combination of a body having a passage for the supply of fluid, there being a valve seat at the delivery end of said passage,

with a diaphragm chamber beyond the said seat and a delivery port communicating with the "said chamber, a diaphragm exvalve on the chamber-side of the diaphragm a plug for securing the diaphragm to its seat, and'a plug threaded within the first mentioned plug, the second plug having a portion adapted to be pro ected through the bottom of the first mentioned plug to press the diaphragm and the valve on the opposite side thereof toward said seat and the first mentioned plug being provided with a portion at its upper or outer end adapted to engage the said plug to prevent its withdrawal in one direction from the first men-' gagement by a tool inserted through the upper end of the first mentioned plug.

In testimony whereof, I hereuto aflix m signature.

y JOHN HARRIS.

and adapted to engage the said valve seat, 

